An Open Letter to our international students

At The Open University, we are open to everyone. Our mission statement is to be 'open to people, places, methods and ideas.'

Since we opened our doors almost 50 years ago, more than two million students have graduated with us from around the world.

We have a significant proportion of students studying with us from across Europe. We value every single one of our international students - past, present and prospective. We value your breadth of experience, your varied perspectives, and your invaluable contribution to fostering a learning experience that is truly global for all of our students.

We are also proud of our international development work and the recognition it receives - including our recent award from the UK’s Guardian newspaper for international projects. Our principle of openness remains fundamental to who we are and what we do. It is our guiding star, even in light of the EU Referendum result.

If you are a current or prospective international student - that is, you are studying (or thinking of studying with us) outside the UK - and you are concerned about the UK’s decision to leave the EU, please be assured. We are very much proceeding on the basis of 'business as usual.'

In particular, please note:

There will be no changes to the UK's status as a member of the European Union in the near future, and therefore in the short and medium-term, everything stays the same for our students.

While the process for the UK to leave the EU has been triggered, the process could take at least two years and possibly longer. In other words: everything stays the same for now.

In the longer term, we’re doing all we can to ensure that our international students remain as unaffected as possible.

In summary, we will continue to offer a UK university education of the highest standard, with unrivalled flexibility and all the support that our international students need to succeed.

And we are working with other universities and partner organisations to seek assurance from the government, to ensure a long-term positive learning experience for all.